VNC Supports Putting In Diagonal Crosswalk at Washington and Pacific

Venice is cooking up its second "scrambled" crosswalk for an intersection known for heavy tourist and local foot traffic. 

The Venice Neighborhood Council approved a motion Tuesday night to encourage the city to turn the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Washington Boulevard into a diagonal, or "scrambled," crosswalk, which would allow pedestrians to cross in any direction, all at once, while allowing drivers to turn without being impeded by people in crosswalks.

VNC outreach officer Marc Saltzberg said the current state of the intersection defies logic. He noted that crosswalks are in place on only three of the four sides, and the design forces vehicles turning left on Pacific to wait for throngs of people to cross.

“It’s bizarre,” he said.

Venice resident Natasha Watson said she appreciates the scrambled crosswalks in Beverly Hills. Venice could use more, she added.

“Whatever can move people the quickest and most safely,” Watson said.

Traffic experts say the diagonal design makes crossing the street more efficient because pedestrians get their own time to cross.

At the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Washington Boulevard in the early afternoon Tuesday, traffic—both motorized and on foot—moved briskly. About four people were using one leg of the crosswalk on average. Cyclists pedaled in stride with pedestrians, straying in and out of the street.

Locals on the street, however, were not enthusiastic about the idea of a scrambled crosswalk. Valentino Acosta said he thought the intersection should be left as is, though his visiting friend said the crosswalk proposal was “pedestrian first.”

Diane Larsen of Marina del Rey walks through the intersection on a regular basis. She said that people often disregard traffic signals to begin with, which would defeat the purpose of a diagonal crosswalk.

“We take our lives into our hands now already,” Larsen said. “I can’t imagine it would be an improvement.”

She gestured at the lighted green signal before striding briskly to the other side of Washington Avenue.

“See? This is what I mean, now you can walk,” she called over her shoulder.

Downtown Los Angeles rolled out its first scrambled crosswalk in 1956, according to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. The idea faded away for some time, but more densely populated streets have caused a comeback in creative crosswalks. 

Each diagonal crosswalk costs $7,000 to implement, according to the LADOT.

The VNC's recommendation will now head to Councilman Bill Rosendahl's office for further study. The LADOT will also be notified of the vote.